Competitive Grant
Funding Available
DATE: March 4, 2008
TO THE ELIGIBLE APPLICANT ADDRESSED:
SUBJECT: Request for Application #701-08-105 Mathematics Instructional Coaches Pilot Program
Eligible Applicants:
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requesting applications under Request for Application (RFA) #701-08-105 from school districts and open-enrollment charter schools or shared services arrangements of school districts and/or open-enrollment charter schools at which (1) a minimum of 65 percent of the total student enrollment was identified as economically disadvantaged for the preceding three school years, or (2) 60 percent or fewer students across all grade levels met the state standard on the mathematics portion of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills during the preceding three school years, as indicated by the Standard Accountability Indicator on the 2004-2005, 2005-2006, and 2006-2007 Academic Excellence Indicator System district reports. TEA will publish an eligibility list to accompany the RFA. The purpose of this application is to provide funding for a Mathematics Instructional Coaches Pilot Program.
Description of Program:
The purpose of the Mathematics Instructional Coaches Pilot Program grant is to promote college and workforce readiness at eligible districts and open-enrollment charter schools by providing assistance in developing the content knowledge and instructional expertise of teachers who instruct students in mathematics at the middle, junior high, or high school levels. Grant recipients must design and implement a Mathematics Instructional Coaches Pilot Program in partnership with an entity from the Approved Service Provider List provided by the TEA.
Project Funding:
The Mathematics Instruction Coaches Pilot Program will be implemented during the 2008 – 2009 and 2009 - 2010 school years. Applicants should plan for a starting date of no earlier than July 1, 2008, and an ending date of no later than May 31, 2010. Funding will be provided for approximately 16-20 projects. Each project will receive a maximum of $225,000 for the 2008- 2010 grant period. Project funding in the second year will be based on satisfactory progress of the first-year objectives and activities.
Selection Criteria:
Applications will be selected based on the independent reviewers' assessment of each applicant's ability to carry out all requirements contained in the RFA. Reviewers will evaluate applications based on the overall quality and validity of the proposed grant programs and the extent to which the applications address the primary objectives and intent of the project. Applications must address each requirement as specified in the RFA to be considered for funding. The TEA reserves the right to select from the highest-ranking applications those that address all requirements in the RFA and that are most advantageous to the project.
TEA is not obligated to approve an application, provide funds, or endorse any application submitted in response to this RFA. This RFA does not commit TEA to pay any costs before an application is approved. The issuance of this RFA does not obligate TEA to award a grant or pay any costs incurred in preparing a response.
Requesting the Application:
A complete copy of RFA #701-08-105 may be obtained by writing the Document Control Center, Room 6-108, Texas Education Agency, William B. Travis Building, 1701 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701; by calling (512) 463-9304; by faxing (512) 463-9811; or by e-mailing dcc@tea.state.tx.us. Please refer to the RFA number and title in your request. Provide your name, complete mailing address, and telephone number including area code. The RFA will also be posted on the TEA Grant Opportunities website at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms for viewing and downloading. In the “Select Search Options” box, select the name of the program/RFA from the drop-down list. Once you have selected the name of the grant program, scroll down to the “Application and Support Information” to view all documents that pertain to this RFA.
For Further Information:
For clarifying information about the RFA, please contact Dale Fowler, Division of State Initiatives, Texas Education Agency, (512) 936-6060. In order to assure that no prospective applicant may obtain a competitive advantage because of acquisition of information unknown to other prospective applicants, any additional information that is different from or in addition to, information provided in the RFA will be provided only in response to written inquiries. Copies of all such inquiries and the written answers thereto will be posted on the TEA website in the format of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms. In the “Select Search Options” box, select the name of the program/RFA from the drop-down list. Scroll down to the “Application and Support Information” to view all documents that pertain to this RFA
Deadline for Receipt of Applications:
Applications must be received in the Document Control Center of TEA by 5:00 PM (Central Time), Tuesday, April 15, 2008, in order to be considered for funding.
Sincerely,
Nora Ibáñez Hancock, Ed.D.
Associate Commissioner
Office for Planning, Grants and Evaluation
